Ministry of Education gazettes fees for Senior Schools

By Newsflash Writer

The Ministry of Education has published revised school fee guidelines for all public senior schools across the country.

In a Special Gazette Notice No. 1449 dated February 6, 2026, the Ministry announced that learners enrolled in Day Senior Schools will not be required to pay any fees.

The full annual cost of Ksh22,244 per student will be fully met by the National Government, leaving parents with no financial obligation.

Day schools fully funded

According to the Gazette notice, the government will provide the entire Ksh22,244 capitation for every learner in public day senior schools. This move effectively eliminates any fee payments by parents, in line with the government’s commitment to easing the cost of education.

The Ministry noted that the funding arrangement applies to learners under both the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system and the 8-4-4 curriculum.

Boarding schools’ fee breakdown

For boarding senior schools, the Ministry approved different fee ceilings depending on the institution. Some boarding schools have been authorised to charge an annual fee of Ksh75,798. From this amount, the government will contribute Ksh22,244, while parents will be required to pay the remaining Ksh53,554.

The news school fees as announced by the Ministry of Education. Photo/MoE

Meanwhile, institutions approved to charge an annual fee of Ksh62,779 will receive a government capitation of Ksh22,244 per learner, with parents paying Ksh40,535 to cover the balance.

Parents of learners in special needs senior schools will pay Ksh12,790 annually, with the government meeting the remaining cost of Ksh57,974 per student each year.

Legal backing and warning to schools

The Ministry said the revised fee structure is anchored in law.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that in line with Section 28 (1) and 29 (1) and (2) of the Basic Education Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Education issues the following fee structure for all public senior schools in Kenya for learners under the Competency-Based Education and the 8-4-4 systems,” the Gazette notice stated in part.

The Ministry further directed that fee payments be distributed across the three school terms using a 50:30:20 ratio.

It also cautioned school administrations against imposing charges beyond the approved limits.

“No public school shall charge tuition fees or any other extra fees or levies contrary to the fee structure stipulated hereinabove. Schools charging below the foregoing ceilings are encouraged to maintain their rates,” the notice added.